Drinking One Soda Per Day Can Decrease Fertility By 33%, Study Finds

Consuming one or more sugary drink such as soda per day may decrease the chances of getting pregnant, a new study finds.

The research, conducted by Boston University’s School of Medicine and published in the journal Epidemiology, found that the impact of just one soda per day on fertility was noticeable whether the woman or the man was consuming the soft drinks prior to attempts at conceiving.

Nearly 4,000 women between the ages of 21 and 45 were surveyed for the study along with 1,000 men (their partners) about their daily dietary habits, specifically the consumption of sugary beverages. Women who consumed at least one soda per day showed a 25 percent decrease in succeeding at pregnancy attempts. Men who drank one soda per day saw a 33 percent reduction in conception success. The researchers also looked at sweetened energy drinks, which decreased the chances of conceiving as well, the researchers noted.

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"We found positive associations between intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and lower fertility, which were consistent after controlling for many other factors, including obesity, caffeine intake, alcohol, smoking and overall diet quality," the study's lead author Elizabeth Hatch said. "Couples planning a pregnancy might consider limiting their consumption of these beverages, especially because they are also related to other adverse health effects."

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Sugar consumption has been linked to numerous health risks including obesity and diabetes; and for men, it can also lead to decreased sperm count as the research demonstrated. The study authors note it can also cause early onset of menstruation in girls.

"Given the high levels of sugar-sweetened beverages consumed by reproductive-aged couples in North America," the study said, "these findings could have important public health implications."